# The effect of HIIT on body composition, cardiovascular fitness, psychological well-being, and executive function of overweight/obese female young adults

PMID: 36743598
Journal: Frontiers in Psychology
Published: 2023-01-18
Authors: Guo L, Chen J, Yuan W

## Question

Does a short campus-based HIIT aerobics program improve body composition, cardiovascular fitness, psychological well-being, and executive function in overweight or obese young adult women?

## Summary

In overweight or obese inactive female university students, a supervised 4-week campus aerobics-style HIIT program improved waist circumference, body fat percentage, estimated VO2max, depression-score category, and Stroop test performance versus a no-training control. Four participants dropped out for personal reasons, and the study did not report exercise-related adverse events.

## Population

- Inactive overweight or obese female university students.
- Sample size: 48
- Age: HIIT 20.00 +/- 1.48; CON 20.80 +/- 1.76 years
- Sex: Women
- Fitness level: No regular physical activity or exercise training
- Health status: BMI >=25 kg/m2 or BF% >=30; screened free of major metabolic, hormonal, orthopedic, and cardiovascular disease

## Methodology

- Randomized controlled trial with wait-list/no-training control
- 4 weeks
- University campus dance classroom and laboratory testing
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Campus HIIT aerobics.
- Modality: Aerobics/dance plus strength-based bodyweight exercise.
- Work intervals: 10 s progressing to 20-25 s, 30-35 s, and 35 s.
- Recovery: 10 s passive rest.
- Sets or repetitions: 8 movements x 4 repetitions.
- Intensity: >=85% HRmax.
- Session duration: Not fully reported; includes 5 min warm-up and 5 min cool-down.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 4 weeks.
- Progression: Work interval duration increased while rest remained 10 s.
- No-training control.
- Modality: Usual activity.
- Intensity: No prescribed exercise.
- Program length: 4 weeks.

## Outcomes

### Body composition
Status: improved
HIIT reduced waist circumference and body fat percentage while control did not.

WC 90.00 +/- 6.76 to 83.55 +/- 6.33; BF% 36.23 +/- 3.56 to 34.25 +/- 3.52; within HIIT p<0.01, time x group p=0.000.

### VO2max
Status: improved
Estimated VO2max increased in HIIT and differed from control after 4 weeks.

HIIT 40.24 +/- 2.98 to 46.25 +/- 1.89; CON 40.9 +/- 2.82 to 41.31 +/- 3.18; group p=0.004, time x group p=0.000.

### SDS
Status: improved
Depression scale scores improved in the HIIT group and worsened slightly in control.

HIIT 59.27 +/- 3.86 to 47.93 +/- 7.01; CON 57.5 +/- 4.10 to 58.95 +/- 3.40; time x group p=0.000.

### SCWT
Status: improved
Stroop test performance improved in HIIT compared with control.

HIIT 14.44 +/- 1.60 to 16.65 +/- 1.83; CON 14.35 +/- 1.89 to 14.54 +/- 1.98; time x group p=0.000.

## Practical Insights

- Bodyweight/aerobics HIIT can be delivered in a campus classroom with HR monitors.
- Progressing work interval duration may be useful for inactive overweight participants.
- Use screening and supervision when targeting >=85% HRmax in this population.

## Limitations

- Small sample.
- Women aged 18-25 only.
- No active exercise comparator.
- Estimated rather than directly measured VO2max.
- Diet, physical activity, and menstrual cycle were not tightly controlled.
- Control group did not have weekly measurements.
- COVID-19 and pre-exam timing may have affected mood outcomes.

## Safety And Adherence

- Three HIIT participants and one control participant quit for personal reasons.
- Adverse events and injuries were not reported.
- Participants were screened with PAR-Q and medical history questionnaire.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36743598/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1095328) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9891140/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.